Author Topic: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread  (Read 17160 times)

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Offline Mikkel_H_ Denmark

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #25 on: August 06, 2013, 02:26:40 PM »
where dit you get that very cool Honde speedo ??

by the way great Projekt looking very good, looking forward for updates.

- Mikkel

Offline Bugster

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #26 on: November 16, 2013, 05:26:53 AM »
where dit you get that very cool Honde speedo ??

by the way great Projekt looking very good, looking forward for updates.

- Mikkel

Hi!
I haven`t seen your post until now Mikkel!
The speedo is a Speedhut, http://www.speedhut.com/
You can customize it as you want on they're website.

Offline Bugster

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #27 on: November 16, 2013, 05:41:11 AM »
A small update on the project.
Not much progress the last months due to various reasons, but I am now, in between my school work, having something done.
Hope to be able to ride next summer, so I need to get going.
I took the front wheel apart and started machining the adapters for the rotors.
Have just got the lathe work done, and now need to drill and thread. Maybe tomorrow.
I just changed the bearing for ones with ID 20mm, so I could use the axel that came with the forks.
Have a friend that I think will help me with the electric stuff soon.
Ordered a rear set from Vietnam. Not here yet, but in the mail.




Offline Tews19

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #28 on: November 16, 2013, 08:05:43 PM »
Subscribed. Love the 650 engine swaps. That will be my next project once I am done with my 550 build. I am doing the modern front end swap and did the spacers a little different then you did to mount the rotors. Single ring inside the rotor itself. It does not push the rotor out at all.
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.

Offline Bugster

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #29 on: November 17, 2013, 07:26:00 AM »
Subscribed. Love the 650 engine swaps. That will be my next project once I am done with my 550 build. I am doing the modern front end swap and did the spacers a little different then you did to mount the rotors. Single ring inside the rotor itself. It does not push the rotor out at all.

You are allowed to post pictures in my thread Tews  ;)

Offline Bugster

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #30 on: November 17, 2013, 07:29:18 AM »
Got the drilling and threading done today


Offline Tews19

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #31 on: November 17, 2013, 07:47:30 AM »
Click the link in my signature... That is my recent build.
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.

Offline Godffery

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #32 on: November 17, 2013, 11:21:13 AM »
Really like where this is heading!

So... those Carbs are '84 Kawasaki ninja 600cc  ?
Also, dig'n the Gauge.

Offline Bugster

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #33 on: November 18, 2013, 02:24:57 AM »
Really like where this is heading!

So... those Carbs are '84 Kawasaki ninja 600cc  ?
Also, dig'n the Gauge.

Yes, if my memory serves me right.
Hope they will work out

Offline Godffery

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #34 on: November 18, 2013, 12:34:55 PM »
Ok Thanks, I'll be sure to stay tuned!
[Sorry, No pun intended]

Offline Bugster

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #35 on: September 18, 2015, 04:55:21 AM »
Progress has been slow on the bike.
However I am now trying to figure out what parts I need for the swingaxle. The bike where completely dismantled when I bought it, and some of the parts may be missing. I bought new bushings for the swing and I am now trying to find out which other parts I need to put it together. The new bushings has shoulders. The question is then, what other parts will I need to put this together?
I will probably need to order/buy these part from somewhere.
See attached pic.

Offline calj737

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #36 on: September 18, 2015, 05:20:56 AM »
One solution to the spoke clearance against the brake components is to lace the wheel inside-inside tot he rim. This changes the angle of the spokes just enough to clear.  That is how Cognito has his conversion hub set up to avoid this exact problem. It will require custom spokes if you use the stock Honda hub though.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #37 on: September 18, 2015, 05:51:59 AM »
It looks like you are going to have spoke clearance issues unless a very narrow rim is used with those calipers.  Maybe it is an optical illusion,  but it looked like you have very little room between the calipers.
Nice looking build.
David
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline FunJimmy

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #38 on: September 18, 2015, 06:10:57 AM »
It looks like you are going to have spoke clearance issues unless a very narrow rim is used with those calipers.  Maybe it is an optical illusion,  but it looked like you have very little room between the calipers.
Nice looking build.
David

You might also consider back cutting the caliber like I did with my original setup.
You never see a motorcycle parked outside of a psychiatrist's office!

CB550 Cafe Interceptor a Gentlemans Roadster
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=27159.0

Offline Bugster

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #39 on: September 18, 2015, 08:04:56 AM »
Yes there is a clearance issue, but I think it is under control.
I got a set of larger diameter discs of eBay, 330mm? don't remember right now. The bigger ones used on the larger CBRs.
This along with spacers/risers on the calipers it is just about enough room in there. Maybe I`ll need to trim the calipers just a tad.

I spent a lot of time on the bike last year. I got the crazy idea to buy a supercharger when I was surfing eBay during my morning coffee one weekend  ::)
I really don't know how this will turn out :D
Let me see if I`ll find a picture of the engine as it is now

Offline Bugster

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #40 on: September 18, 2015, 08:26:59 AM »
...or, help me out with the swing axle question first, then I`ll post some pictures of the engine ;) :D :D

Offline Restoration Fan

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #41 on: September 18, 2015, 11:09:58 AM »
...or, help me out with the swing axle question first, then I`ll post some pictures of the engine ;) :D :D

First, I'm LOVING this build.

Second, can you post a photo of what parts you do have for the rear swingarm (including the bushings)?  That might help to figure out what else you will need.

Ron
Ron

Stella - Logan's Senior Project    78 750K http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=141761.0

Logan's Reward - CB500 and CB550 Cafes    http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,147787.0.html

Offline Bugster

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #42 on: September 21, 2015, 12:08:57 AM »
This is what I have:


Offline Bugster

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #43 on: October 27, 2015, 07:32:47 AM »
Is there nobody that can chip in on the swing arm question?

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #44 on: October 27, 2015, 09:10:42 AM »
It is missing the zerk grease fittings,  some drill and retap for a std zerk because the stock fitting doesn't work for most grease guns available to US mechanics. It is a special fitting.
Your center spacer neeeds cleaned up. Are the bushings stock Honda parts?
You also need the cap washers and felt seals and the bolt doesn't appearto be the correct one. It looks like the upper rear hanger bolt.
That's a few things I see.
The cap washers and swingarm bolt aren't showing in your parts. You see the grease fitting in your illustration above it is screwed into the end of the threaded sleeve and the centrr has a groove and a hole for grease to come out.
The center spacer is narrow enough for the bushes to be pressed in against it holding it in place.
Where did you get your bushings?

David- back in the desert SW!

Offline calj737

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #45 on: October 27, 2015, 09:37:17 AM »
It is missing the zerk grease fittings...
Some 5xxs have a grease fitting on the underside of the swing arm pivot tube and did not use rod end fittings. I have had 2 of those type arms in fact, and another greased rod. You really need to discover exactly which year and model you have to determine what parts you require
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline riffman12

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #46 on: October 27, 2015, 10:39:53 AM »
This is what I have:



Does the swingarm itself have a grease fitting threaded in to it on the underside?

It looks like the only parts you are missing are the little Dust Seal Caps (#14 in your pic) - looks kind of like this:



Also looks like you need the nut and the washer from the other side of the bolt.

Offline FGKouki

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #47 on: October 27, 2015, 02:19:43 PM »
If you can figure out how to have a laced rim instead of alloy mags with the front end swap that will really set this apart!  spoked rims just look so right on these old bikes! 

on the 750 swingarm it's an easy to use a zerk fitting from the auto parts store.  Bronze bushing install was easy for me just froze the bushings for a few hours and they tapped right in. 










Offline Bugster

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #48 on: January 26, 2016, 04:34:30 AM »
Thanks for the help guys! Sorry that I haven't been around earlier to respond.
A lot going on, but I hope to be able to do some work on the bike now this winter.

Offline SupremeOrigin

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Re: CB 500 Cafe racer build thread
« Reply #49 on: February 17, 2016, 08:39:52 PM »
Any updates?